Functional Training
Sunday, June 13, 2010
I was a personal trainer for several years, my speciality being functional training. This way of training moves away from a muscle-isolation, machine-bound, "How much can you bench?" mentality. Instead, functional training involves muscle-integration exercises, compound movements, core-based exercises which involves the total body working together as one unit. Getting the body's muscles to cooperate and function together are extremely more effective for getting results than a muscle-isolation system.
I've been thinking lately, when I look at our churches, I see some what of an isolation system between the clergy and the layperson, and I don't think it should be there. There are a select few doing the majority of the ministry and work. We have to move from spectators to participators. And I believe part of this divide is due to how the position of the pastor is set up.
Most would be surprised to find the word "pastor" is only used 1 time in the entire New Testament (Eph. 4:11) and yet today, our whole church system is based around the pastoral personality and position. Our heirarchy system where the pastor is the tip of the triangle of church leadership is not found anywhere in scripture. The early church did not have "pastors" as defined by today's role. So what did they do? Who preached at every service? The answer is...they all did. (1 Cor. 14:26, Heb 10:24-25) Everyone had something to bring, and was encouraged to do so.
I think we may be missing out on an all member-functioning church due to the system we have set up today. 1 Corianthinas 11-14 gives insight into what the early church's meetings were like. They were set up for mutual edification. Paul uses alot of "you all" and "one another" wording. I know it seems crazy, but there needs to be reform in how we function as the Body. We need to move from a ministry of a select few, to an edification of one another, in mentality and action. We all have something to bring to the table. Integration is always better than isolation.
Just some thoughts...what do you think?
6 comments:
I recently talked to a former pastor who felt similarly. He went even further to suggest spiritual anarchy. He argued that spirituality is by it's nature barbaric and should not be reduced to a social club or religious institution. Some of his arguments resonated with me but overall he seemed embittered.
I like what you're saying too, but how could it work in practice? Especially in America where we're thoroughly institutionalized. Do you have any functional training ideas? Can reform actually happen, or are we too far gone? I dunno.
Personally, I find that I tend to be lazy. If someone else is willing to lead, I'll let them lead. If someone else will talk, I'll let them talk. Because of this, I tend to only step out one-on-one or in small groups. I don't think I'm the only one like this. To really get every member involved, I think church has to happen in small groups (either as a high priority supplement or as a replacement to big church services).
I think the other problem with getting to an all member-functioning church is that often we see church as what happens on Sunday morning or in small group Wednesday night. What about when we're having lunch with each other, or working together, or hanging out on a Friday night? I've been more challenged and encouraged during lunch with a friend on Monday than in church the previous day... not because church was bad, but because I needed more than just the encouragement of my pastor. The Holy Spirit had something special to say to me through my friend.
Jordan! This is Justin Collins. I can't figure out how to follow your blog. A lot of what your saying rings true with me. It's one major reason I burned out after 10 years of service. I've been asking myself the same questions about church as we know it and what needs to change. I'll write you more when I get a chance. Can you add me or what do I need to do to have your blog on my list?
Justin,
I am still new to this whole blog thing, I am not sure how to add blogs yet, my wife helped me do the ones I have. I saw yours the other day and would like to follow it as well. I'll keep trying to set it up.
Tom,
Ditto on being lazy and letting someone else to do the work or ministry, but that is backwards! I don't want to be that way!
I think we all at one time or another have had more meaningful times with a friend or mentor over a cup of coffee, or lunch like you said, than on a Sunday morning when we "do" church. The Holy Spirit definately has more freedom to move without such a rigid, liturgal structure.
Matt,
I have some ideas I'll blog about later. We are very institutionalized as a whole, and I have to believe there is hope for the church. My heart goes out to ones who are not in church b/c of religiosity or hypocracy (sp?) and the ones who are in church and want to get out, but can't b/c they don't know where to go. So little by little, every week part of them on the inside dies, b/c they know how we are doing things doesn't work. We have to have reform.
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